Man charged with attempted murder of officers

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POINT PLEASANT — A domestic dispute on Park Drive on Saturday night escalated into pursuit that ended with a Point Pleasant man in custody charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer.

According to the Point Pleasant Police Department (PPPD), officers were called to a residence in the Park Drive addition for a domestic dispute and upon their arrival, Eugene J. Denapoli, 25, Point Pleasant, fled the scene in a pickup truck. Officers attempted to stop Denapoli which lead to a pursuit.

A statement from the PPPD says Denapoli left Park Drive, drove to Sandhill Rd. in an attempt to elude officers but crashed in the curve just beyond the Mid-Ohio Valley Center. As officers approached Denapoli’s vehicle, he drove off again, this time heading back into town, nearly striking the officers, according to the PPPD.

Denapoli then ended up driving north on W.Va. 62 but was stopped near Fairground Rd. after he drove off the right side of the roadway and then spun out, hitting the guardrail. At this point, Denapoli allegedly rammed a Mason County Sheriff’s Deputy cruiser in an attempt to get away.

At this point officers report they had to forcibly remove Denapoli from his vehicle after he allegedly failed to comply with their commands to exit it.

Denapoli was transported to the Point Pleasant Police Department for booking and the intoximeter, where the results of a breath test were allegedly two times over the legal limit of .08.

The PPPD charged Denapoli with felony fleeing DUI and felony DUI causing injury. The West Virginia State Police also reported a charge of felony fleeing DUI against Denapoli in the incident as well.

In addition, Sgt. Varian with the sheriff’s department charged Denapoli with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer.

Denapoli’s arraignment was held in Mason County Magistrate Court where his bond was set at $100,000. As of Monday afternoon, he remained housed at the Western Regional Jail.

Also, an officer with the PPPD received a hand injury during the arrest of Denapoli, was treated at Pleasant Valley Hospital and released.

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